Sanya Richards-Ross supported by family
Family has been a crucial component to Sanya Richard-Ross' success, whether it was her family growing up in Kingston, Jamaica or, these days, her Super Bowl champion husband.
"I remember when our parents told us, my sister and I, that we'd be moving to the United States. We were kicking and fighting. We both didn't want to move. But actually, I think it was, in hindsight, the best decision my family ever made. I remember my transition, when I moved to Florida, was seamless. I got out there, got back on the track team, was the best in our county, helped our school win its first county title and just was able to really continue developing and growing as a track and field athlete. So I was really happy that my parents made the decision at that time. And I think it was, for me, what helped me to get to where I am today.
"I would 100 percent say my confidence comes from my parents. Since I was a young child, my mom and my dad always told me I was beautiful. I was talented. I was the best. My dad a little bit too much at times, but he always just gave me that fearless courage to go out and be my best and even when I failed, I knew that my family would always love me. And so I definitely would say 100 percent my confidence is from my parents.
"My family has played a huge role in my success. From the very beginning, my dad has come to every single one of my practices since I was in high school. And I learned along the way, after sometimes working with other people, that my family always had my best interest at heart. And so I kind of keep them really close. My mom and dad are my managers. My cousin does my PR and styling. My sister does my hair. And so it's just always great to have those people closest to me. And although I do have other people that I work with and enjoy working with, it's always great to kind of have that buffer, and that support. So I'm very, very grateful to have them in my corner."When I was 16 would be the first time I thought I could do track professionally. I'll never forget my dad challenging me and asking me if I wanted to be the best at track and field. And it was pivotal point in my career because I realized at that moment if I wanted to be the best, it was gonna take a great level of commitment and dedication and I remember my dad, in that season, my senior year in high school, comparing my times to some of the times of professionals. And I ran faster than they did at their national championships. And I thought, well maybe in a couple of years I could definitely be doing this full time. And so I think that was the moment that I gave and dedicated myself to the sport.
"... I couldn't ask for a better family. They come to every single track meet. They're totally in tuned with what I'm doing and they always want to see me get better and better. And so they really do help me to continue to pursue my dreams.
"My husband, Aaron Ross, is a two-time Super Bowl champion and I just absolutely love being married to him. I think that we strike a perfect balance in our lives. Of course sports plays a huge role because when he's not competing, I'm competing. And we both love sports and [have] been doing it for a long time. But when we get home, we don't talk about sports much, we're just a typical married couple.
"I cook, he takes out the trash. We go to the movies and we just have a wonderful time together. And so I really do think we do a great job. We don't compete much, unless it's like running to the bathroom or something like that. But we just have a phenomenal relationship. He supports me so much and wants to see me be the best that I can be and I do the same for him. And it's just, for me, like, he's been such a great blessing."
Knicks beat Celtics, win first playoff series since 2000
Sean Highkin, USA TODAY Sports10:07 p.m. EDT May 3, 2013
knicks
New York Knicks beat Boston Celtics 88-80 Friday night in Game 6 of first-round playoff series
Knicks closed out series for first playoff series victory since 2000, play Indiana Pacers next
Celtics nearly came back from 26-point deficit with 20-0 run but stalled at finish
The New York Knicks have advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in 13 years. The Boston Celtics, who were down 3-0 in the series before winning the last two games, nearly overcame another incredible deficit, but the Knicks ultimately won 88-80.
Trailing by 26 in the third quarter, Boston went on a 20-0 run, but it wasn't enough to make up for poor shooting for most of the game. Through the first three quarters, Boston shot 31.9% from the field as a team, totaling only 47 points entering the final period.
BOX SCORE: Knicks 88, Celtics 80
Carmelo Anthony scored 21 points, but the Knicks' offense was carried by its guards. Iman Shumpert played a key role at both ends of the floor, scoring 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting and playing lock-down defense on Paul Pierce. Pablo Prigioni scored 14 points, and Raymond Felton added 10.
The Celtics' fourth-quarter run was keyed by Jeff Green and Avery Bradley, with Bradley making several key defensive plays leading to fast-break baskets. Boston cut the deficit to four points with three minutes remaining, but a three-pointer by Anthony with 1:32 on the clock effectively ended Boston's run and season.
This game marks the first first-round exit for the Celtics since Kevin Garnett joined the team in 2007. It may also be the last stand of Boston's big three. Pierce has a $5 million buyout for the final year of his contract, and the 37-year-old Garnett may opt for retirement if the Celtics go into rebuilding mode.
The Knicks advance to the second round and will play the Indiana Pacers, who eliminated the Atlanta Hawks on Friday. The series begins in New York on Sunday.
Dwayne Johnson - Mark Wahlberg Producing A New HBO Series, Starring Dwayne Johnson
Right after releasing "Pain and Gain", Wahlberg and Johnson are gearing up to collaborate on a TV series.
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson - WrestleMania 29 Press Conference
We already know Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson work well together, but for the very first time, the two are teaming up for the small screen. The project is a half hour dramedy series about the lives of retired athletes in LA and HBO has ordered the pilot, in which Johnson will star, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The series is the brainchild of Entourage writer Steven Levinson, who has also signed on to write the script and executive produce alongside Wahlberg, Johnson, Dany Garcia and Peter Berg. Berg has also been named as the series’ director.
As far as HBO dramedies go, this is pretty much the dream team, with everyone involved having a substantial list of achievements behind them. Johnson in particular is a perfect fit for the project, because of his long-standing involvement in the world of sports, having played college football before kicking off his World Wrestling Federation career and becoming one of the sport's best known personalities. The announcement about this next role comes right on the heels of the hernia operation he had, for the injury, sustained during a championship match with John Cena. Cena won, in case you were wondering.
As for Wahlberg and Levinson, the two have a special relationship with HBO, having worked on numerous shows for the cable network, including Boardwalk Empire, How to Make It in America and In Treatment. If all goes according to plan, the pilot will be filmed in the fall.
* HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO DWAYNE <3 *
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J.R. Smith Pretends He Doesn't Know Who Jason Terry Is
By
Jesse Dorsey
(Featured Columnist) on May 1, 2013
The Boston Celtics and New York Knicks are embroiled in a first-round series that's doing its best to get interesting, but J.R. Smith doesn't seem to care much for his opponents, at least not enough to pretend like he knows them.
Smith was suspended for elbowing Jason Terry in the head back in Game 3, leaving him on the sidelines for Game 4, which is the only game the Celtics have won in the series so far.
After returning back to New York and getting ready for Game 5, a few guys asked Smith some questions about Terry. Smith responded with confusion (via Boston.com):
Smith was asked about the Game 4 performance of Terry (18 points, including 9 in overtime). His response?
“Who?” Smith said. “I don’t even know who that is.”
It didn’t stop there.
Asked another question about Terry, Smith kept up the charade.
“Who?” he said again. “Who is that?”
I suppose the old saying "know your enemy" doesn't register well with Smith.
Terry, being the Celtics' de facto foil for Smith, was on a collision course with the outspoken Knicks guard coming into the series, as they both work as their team's scoring spark plug off the bench.
When Smith was asked if the Knicks would have won Game 4 if he weren't suspended, Smith didn't hold anything back: "Oh, yeah. It would have been over. I would have been playing golf today."
In a series that was bound to be chippy anyway given the teams involved, this is sure to add a bit of fuel to the fire.
Thanks to my bro
we_eat_coldcuts for this articleRonaldo Leaving Real Madrid Is A Possibility, Says His Agent
By Frank Tigani, Goal.com
Cristiano Ronaldo could be on his way out of Real Madrid, according to his agent Jorge Mendes.
Despite his tremendous goalscoring record of 197 goals in 195 games for los Blancos, Ronaldo has not always been happy in the Spanish capital, highlighted by his admission earlier in the season that he was "sad".
Ever since, there have been rumors the former Manchester United ace could leave in the summer and Mendes suggests a move away is a possibility he will not rule out.
“I don't know. Ronaldo would be an asset to any of the best teams in the world. We'll have to wait and see, he's at Real Madrid and I don't know if he wants to move. Maybe," he told Radio Mana Mana Sport.
Mendes was also quizzed on another Real Madrid star, Angel Di Maria, and Paris Saint-Germain forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who have both been linked with a move to Italian giants Juventus.
“It all depends on what they can afford. Italian teams can't pay as much as they used to for players these days," he continued. “As for Ibra, that would be very difficult.”
Sidney Crosby returns vs. Islanders
PITTSBURGH -- After missing more than a month recovering from a broken jaw, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby returned to action Friday night in Game 2 of the Penguins' Eastern Conference quarterfinal series against the New York Islanders.
Crosby said he was medically cleared to play Thursday afternoon. He worked out with his regular linemates, Pascal Dupuis and Chris Kunitz, Friday morning at the team's morning skate, just as he did on Thursday during the team's practice. He also spent time working with the Penguins' top power-play unit and said he feels comfortable and ready to rejoin live action.
"I think that if a doctor clears you to play, that gives you a lot of confidence going out there knowing that you can play and take a hit, so I'm not concerned," Crosby said.
The Penguins won the opening game of the series Wednesday night by a 5-0 count, but the return of arguably the best player in the game -- he was leading the NHL scoring race by a wide margin when he was injured -- makes the talented Penguins an even more dangerous team.
"It means a lot. He's the guy that sets the elite skill level out there and more important the competition level out there," said Pittsburgh defenseman Douglas Murray.
"Obviously it's a confidence boost getting his skill back in the lineup."
Islanders coach Jack Capuano said you have to accept that someone with Crosby's skill is going to get chances and that his return will give a boost to his teammates and to the hometown crowd at the Consol Energy Center.
"It'll be electric, there's no question, but at the same time we've gone into some tough buildings this year down the stretch," Capuano said.
"Maybe our team will rise to the occasion knowing that he's in. We just have to try and contain him the best that we can."
Crosby, who finished tied for third in league scoring with 56 points in 36 games, talked about his excitement at rejoining his teammates in the playoffs.
"I think every time you play in the playoffs there's always a little bit extra, especially coming back after missing some time," Crosby said. "I think you just want to make sure you're ready, but we're all excited to play in those kinds of games, you welcome that, these are the ones you want to be in."
The Penguins' captain was felled by a deflected puck in a game against the Islanders on March 30. He will be wearing a protective plastic shield attached to his helmet to try to limit contact with his jaw area. It's obvious it will take some getting used to when it comes to accepting passes and handling the puck.
“
I think you try not to think about it. I think once you get in a game and hopefully you get out there and get playing, it's not something you think about a whole lot. But I don't really know how I'm going to kind of approach that until I play, right? But I think mentally I feel confident I can go out there and play in a playoff game.
” -- Sidney Crosby on return to ice
"Again, until I play I'm not going to really know how it feels. I'm not worried about it," he said.
Assuming Crosby does play mostly with Kunitz and Dupuis, the comfort of familiarity should ease his return after missing this much playing time.
"There's a lot of familiarity there. We should be able to find each other and create things. If anything my timing may be a little off, but I think that's something that comes pretty quickly," he said.
As for being tentative when it comes to moving in high-traffic areas and in the corners, Crosby hopes that once the game begins it won't be a consideration.
"I think you try not to think about it," he said. "I think once you get in a game and hopefully you get out there and get playing, it's not something you think about a whole lot. But I don't really know how I'm going to kind of approach that until I play, right? But I think mentally I feel confident I can go out there and play in a playoff game."
Although coach Dan Bylsma won't comment on lineup or injury issues, he did say that the team is looking forward to getting Crosby back in the mix.
He noted that Crosby has made an immediate impact when he's returned from injury in the past.
"I joked that I should really plan on that; I could just hold him out until a really important game. But when Sid gets back on the ice you're going to see him in similar situations and similar spots on our team, and we're looking forward to getting him back with our group with our team with his line when that happens," Bylsma said.
While Crosby returned to the lineup, forward James Neal, who missed most of the last two periods of Game 1 after taking a hit from Travis Hamonic, was a scratch.
WWE Superstar Roman Reigns: Examining His Potential Future in the WWE
By
Tyson Jones
(Senior Analyst) on May 2, 2013
Since bursting onto the scene at Survivor Series 2012, Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins have caused considerable chaos within the WWE.
Turning the company on its ear, the three former NXT stars collectively known as The Shield have turned back some of the stiffest competition to date. Chris Jericho, Daniel Bryan, Sheamus, John Cena and even The Undertaker have tasted defeat at the hands of The Shield.
Surely, one has to think a bright future is on the horizon for all three men. However, one figure stands above the others, clearly a trump card to the group's success. I'm of course speaking about Roman Reigns.
I suppose it's only fitting that Roman would be the standout of the group. Fans and critics had been waiting with bated breath for the main-roster arrival of both Dean Ambrose and then-NXT champion Seth Rollins.
Comparisons from everyone to The Joker to Roddy Piper to Brian Pillman have been made regarding Dean Ambrose, and the man formerly known as Tyler Black has a strong, cult following from his time in ROH. I think it's safe to say that nobody knew or even cared much for Roman Reigns—at least not compared to his teammates.
Still, Roman has impressed a lot of people in recent months. At one point, there were rumblings among fans of Roman about him being the actual leader of the trio as opposed to Dean Ambrose (funny how nobody seems to have faith that Seth could have been the leader).
More recent rumblings seem to indicate that many believe Roman could be the breakout star of the group. Personally, that wouldn't surprise me one bit. Roman Reigns is the impact player for The Shield.
Which member of The Shield stands out most to you?
Seth Rollins Roman Reigns Dean Ambrose Submit Vote vote to see results
His time in the ring can generally be game-changing. Just when things look grim for The Shield, the Spear helps to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, as we saw Monday when said Spear pinned John Cena in a six-man tag match. Arguably the cleanest win anyone's gotten over Cena in sometime.
No doubt, Roman has been a big part of the success of The Shield, even pinning Daniel Bryan at TLC last year to give the group their first victory.
With so much stock going into this group and with no end in sight, it's fun to think about where exactly WWE is going with this group.
As the article's title states, though, Roman Reigns is the one who has my attention the most. The Spear of Justice has helped to put away some tough competition.
I don't think it's a question of "can" or "will" Roman be a star in the WWE. It's more a question of "how." How will Roman's time in The Shield (and The Shield in general, possibly) come to an end and force him on his own?
So where do we go from there? A lot of people have thrown out scenarios for The Shield and their future, as well as the solo careers of the members, and there's a lot of branching ways to go with this. One personal favorite of mine is the Evolution route featuring Triple H.
Now Imagine this is Roman Reigns, taking out Undertaker and Kane.
This leads to Roman walking out on The Shield (turning face in the process) and allying with Triple H as a sort of mentor to him in the short run.
Another scenario for Roman Reigns involves Roman beginning to realize just how good he can be with his own ability.
A lot of you may (or may not) remember Mason Ryan's time on the main roster as a member of The New Nexus. WWE at one point wanted to emphasize his power, having him destroy both Kane and The Big Show almost single-handedly, before leaving without celebrating with the other members of The Nexus.
Though that resulted in nothing, perhaps WWE could go that route with Reigns as a way of ending The Shield (or at least giving Roman an out).
After deeming Roman to be getting a big head, having Dean or Seth confront him about his attitude (to be subsequently attacked by the other member, or perhaps a replacement for him), Roman could easily make a face turn, perhaps allying for a short time (or longer) with The Usos in a Samoan stable of sorts (with him at the head) or even someone else who may have a grudge against The Shield.
Of course these are just ideas to be kicked around, and there are probably better ways to go about such a difficult and risky task. Also, I'd like to point out I'm not saying I want all this to happen Friday on SmackDown or anything like that. The Shield still has shelf life. I could easily see them coexisting peacefully until at least September, if not longer.
All good things must come to an end, though. The Shield is no different, and when said end does come, I'll be curious to see where exactly Roman fits in the grand scheme of the WWE.
Could he be the next face of the company? The next Batista? Who's to say? What about you? Where do you think The Spear of Justice will be years from now?
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tyfyt ONTD ! Happy Friday !
btw don't forget to nominate in the sexy playoffs
ya'll get one extra day since I will be doing my thing tommorrow haha